16 women among 174 candidates in fray for November 7 Mizoram Assembly polls

 AIZAWL: A total of 174 candidates, including 16 women in Mizoram, have filed their nominations for the assembly polls scheduled to be held on November 7, an election official said on Saturday. According to an official, the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF), the opposition Congress, and the Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM), a local party, have fielded candidates in all 40 Assembly constituencies. The BJP nominated candidates in 23 seats, the Aam Aadmi Party in four seats, and 27 independent candidates are also in the fray. State unit presidents of most of the political parties—Chief Minister Zoramthanga (MNF), Lalsawta (Congress), Lalduhoma (ZPM), and Vanlalhmuaka (BJP)—are contesting this election.

MNF supremo Zoramthanga is re-contesting from the Aizawl East-1 seat; BJP state chief Vanlalhmuaka is contesting from the Dampa seat; and Congress' Mizoram unit chief Lalsawta is in fray from the Aizawl West-III constituency. ZPM president Lalduhoma is seeking re-election from the Serchhip seat. Of Mizoram's 11 districts, the highest number of 55 candidates have been fighting in the 12 seats of Aizawl district, while the lowest number of three candidates are in the electoral fray in the lone seat of Hnahthial district. October 20 (Friday) was the last date for filing nominations, while Monday is the last date for withdrawing nominations. In the last Assembly elections in 2018, a total of 209 candidates, including 18 women, contested the elections. Of the 209 candidates, 81 male candidates and 16 women forfeited their deposits in the last elections. (IANS)

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